Support Process

Opening a Case

Any parent or guardian of a child in need of support may open a case with the Shasta County Department of Child Support Services. Click here for a list of documents and information that you will need in order to open a case. To help expedite your case, please provide as much information as possible about your child(ren) and the noncustodial parent.

Locating the Noncustodial Parent

To get an order for support, establish paternity or enforce a child support order, the Department of Child Support Services must know where the noncustodial parent lives or works. Click here for more information.

Establishing Paternity

If paternity (fatherhood) is not established for your child, or it is in dispute, the Department of Child Support Services will attempt to do so for you. No support orders will be issued without established paternity. Paternity can be established at the birth of your child. Click here to read about the Paternity Opportunity Program.

Establishing a Support Order

Once the Department of Child Support Services locates the noncustodial parent, and there is no previously existing support order, the Department of Child Support Services will seek a support order for money and/or medical coverage for your child. A number of factors will determine the level of monetary and/or medical support. Read on for more information.

Enforcing a Support Order

The Department of Child Support Services will enforce a support order if the noncustodial parent is not making any payments, is not paying the full amount of support, or simply at the request of the custodial parent. In accordance with State and Federal guidelines, the Department of Child Support Services will use several methods of enforcement to collect and distribute payments.

Information for Noncustodial Parents

Noncustodial parents, or parents who currently do not have primary physical custody of their child(ren), have an important role in the child support process. This section helps to explain their role and answers some of the most commonly asked questions of noncustodial parents.

Legal Information

It's important that you understand what your legal relationship is with the Department of Child Support Services. If you desire more personalized assistance for your support case, you may seek the services of a private attorney.